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Naperville
Friday, March 29, 2024

Alert! Downtown Washington Street Bridge lane closures begin Thursday, Oct. 6

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Above / Notice to all drivers who use Washington Street Bridge: The weight limit has been reduced from 15 tons to 8 tons. Now is a good time to find an alternate route as lanes will be reduced over the 40-year-old bridge beginning Oct. 6, 2022.

In response to a recent inspection, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has recommended a new 8-ton weight limit and lane closures over the Washington Street Bridge. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 6, the outside southbound lane, and the inside northbound lane will be closed to reduce traffic to one lane in each direction over the bridge.

In addition, the inside eastbound lane on Aurora Avenue will be converted into a left-turn-only lane between Webster and Main streets and closed between Main and Washington streets, and the outside southbound lane on Washington Street will be converted into a right-turn-only lane between Jackson and Chicago avenues.

Now likely good time to plan alternate route

Through traffic on Washington Street will need to allow for greater travel time or use alternate routes. Closures will remain in place until further notice. 

Map provided by City of Naperville.

The bridge, which crosses the DuPage River between Chicago and Aurora avenues, is more than 40 years old and is in need of replacement due to its deteriorating condition. Preparations to replace the bridge have been ongoing for several years.

A 15-ton weight limit was imposed in 2016 to reduce damage from heavy loads. Regular inspections of the bridge have been in place since 2016 and monthly inspections of the bridge have been ongoing since January 2019.

Note new 8-ton weight limit now in effect

The most recent inspection in September showed signs of increased deterioration. After consultation with bridge engineers from IDOT, the City was directed to lower the posted weight limit from 15 tons to 8 tons and close the outside southbound lane and the inside northbound lane. The lane closures will shift traffic flow away from the impacted area of the bridge and allow the City to prepare for a long-term solution. On-street parking on Washington Street will not be impacted.

Whatever direction, the four-lane Washington Street Bridge will be reduced to two lanes. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 6, the outside southbound lane, and the inside northbound lane will be closed to reduce traffic to one lane in each direction over the bridge.

A complete replacement of the bridge is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring of 2023. The City has secured federal funding from IDOT to perform the project through the Federal Bridge Program, which will cover 80 percent of the cost.

For more information about the project, including a map of current lane closures and project updates, visit www.naperville.il.us/dtwashingtonbridge.

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City of Naperville
City of Napervillehttp://www.naperville.il.us.
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving City consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The City is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The City’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.

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